1839.] Asiatic Society. 247 



Physical Researches now in the press, will, we are confident, more than remove that 

 stigma. The bulk of the Physical Partwill consist of Dr. M'Clelland's elaborate 

 paper on " Indian Cyprinidte." 



In connexion with the subject of publications, we should not omit to notice two works 

 by Members of the Society, to which Government has contributed either by sub- 

 scription or by still more direct support. The first is the version by Mr. Torrens of 

 the ever-charming " Alif Leila." The second is the remarkable and valuable Cochin- 

 Chinese Dictionary, by the Right Rev. the Bishop of Isauropolis, now Roman Catholic 

 Bishop of the Diocese of Bengal. 



Antiquities. 

 In antiquarian enterprise, research, and discovery, the past year has been most prolific. 

 Among the events of interest we notice in our records, we may particularize the liberal 

 grant by Government for the erection of the Allahabad pillar — the receipt from the 

 Rev. Mr. Wilson of fac-similes of the Girnar inscriptions — Mr. Prinsep's most im- 

 portant discovery of the name of Antiochus in two of the edicts of Ashoka — Mr. 

 Prinsep's translation of the religious edicts of Ashoka, discovered in Gujerat and in 

 Cuttack — and the discovery that the inscription of Junegurh related the circumstance of 

 the repair of a bridge in the time of Chundra Gupta, by Ashoka, his grandson. 



To these let us add, the interesting fruits of Mr. Kittoe's Researches in Cuttack — 

 the active and successful measures adopted by Government to procure fac-similes of the 

 Junegurh and Girnaghur inscriptions — the verification by Lieut. Postans of Mr. 

 Prinsep's views as to the reading of the name of Antigonus next to that of Ptolemy 

 in the 14th edict, in the Girnar inscriptions — the measures taken by Government to 

 prevent the demolition of the Kanarah Temple — and, lastly, Professor Lassen's simul- 

 taneous proposition of an alphabet for the Pali and Bactrian languages, nearly identi- 

 cal with that described by Mr. Prinsep in the July number of the Journal. On even 

 this disjointed and hasty glance, we may well be proud of the progress the Society has 

 accomplished in the fulfilment of one of the chief objects of its institution. It will, we 

 doubt not, be universally admitted that the Asiatic Society during the past year has 

 justified its high name, and retained its natural position, as the most energetic and suc- 

 cessful agent of antiquarian discovery in the East. 



Statistics. 



Owing to the lamented deaths of Sir B. Malkin and Mr. Bell, the retirement of 

 Messrs. Walters and Adam, and the withdrawal of Messrs. Bignel, Curnin, and 

 M f Clintock, the Committee was at the end of the year 1838 reduced to four Mem- 

 bers, Messrs. Ewart, Spry, Baillie, and Stewart. Mr. W. P, Grant has since 

 been elected a Member. 



It is understood that Dr. Stewart has been for some time engaged in tabulating 

 translations of the Records of Native Mortality in Calcutta, with the view to illustrate 

 the localities of disease in this city, and the effects of climate on the health of its inha- 

 bitants. Dr. Spry has prepared a series of tables illustrating the state of education 

 among different classes of Society in Bengal. Mr. Ewart has ready for press some 

 very valuable original tables connected with the currency and trade of Calcutta. 

 The only paper which has yet appeared in common with the labors of this Committee, 

 is the very important document by Mr. H. T. Prinsep, on the decrement of juvenile 

 European life in Bengal. This valuable contribution to vital statistics has already 

 appeared in the Society's Journal. 



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